Air assisted tools

ABSTRACT

An air-assisted tool includes a handle, a tool head (such as a rake or shovel, and a blower assembly. The tool is used to quickly and easily move debris (such as grass, rocks, leaves, snow, branches, dirt, etc.) by lifting and dislodging the debris from a surface in the traditional manner. The blower assembly produces an airflow that is directed towards the tool head and is used to propel the debris, thus reducing the labor necessary to move the debris. The blower assembly includes a motor coupled to a blower and a manifold in fluid communication with the blower. The manifold is preferably disposed proximate the tool head. The motor and blower may be disposed on the handle or as a separate unit such as a backpack or hand-held or wheelable unit. The tool may include an air-biasing device to adjust the direction of the airflow across the tool head.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to landscaping tools and moreparticularly, relates to blower-assisted landscaping type tools.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] The state of the art in common lawn rakes has changed very littlein many decades. While there have been advances in handle design and theuse of synthetic materials such as plastics and the like, the basicstructure of a lawn rake has changed very little.

[0003] Most rakes use tines, lined up in a row, connected to a longhandle. The rake is operated by dragging it across a semi-hard surface,where the tines collect the loose refuse and move it a distanceproportional to the force exerted on the rake handle and the length ofthe stroke. While there are many designs of tines, they are generallydesigned to be bendable such that as a user drags the tines across thesurface, the tines have a “springing” effect thereby propelling therefuse a small distance and reducing the amount of energy needed to rakean area. The deformability of the tines also enables the tines to adaptto the contours of the surface and enables the tines to get underneathand dislodge any refuse that is stuck to the surface.

[0004] Traditional rakes, however, suffer from several problems. Becausethe “springing” effect of the tines is very limited, traditional rakesare still a very labor-intensive means of removing refuse from an area.Even with the “springing” effect of the tines, traditional rakes onlymove the refuse a very limited distance.

[0005] Moreover, as the amount of refuse being moved increases, damagecan occur to the deformable tines if the amount of refuse becomes toolarge and moving a “heavy” pile of debris unassisted becomes almostimpossible. Consequently, users must often “break-down” the pile beingraked into smaller piles in order to avoid breaking the tines and to beable to move the debris. While this is generally effective at preventingdamage to the rake, it substantially increases the labor needed to cleanan area because the user often ends up having to rake over areas thatwere previously raked.

[0006] A rather recent development in the art has been the lawn blowersor leaf blowers. Lawn blowers utilize a motor (generally eitherelectrical or gasoline powered) to power a blower that produces arelatively low airflow (in the order of 300 CFM) at relatively highvelocity (in the order of 150 mph). The airflow is concentrated anddirected in a specific direction (generally with the use of a nozzle),to blow loose debris in the direction of the airflow. Blowers are mosteffective on hard, dry, open surfaces without obsbructions and, undercertain circumstances, are capable of quickly and easily moving largeamounts of refuse.

[0007] The effectiveness of the blower, however, is substantiallydecreased on wet or damp surfaces, surfaces with long turf orintervening obstructions such as bushes, plants, walls, and the like, orwhen the refuse is heavy. Moreover, the dynamics of the high-speedairflow propelling refuse with unpredictable shapes substantially limitsthe user's control of the refuse movement. Additionally, a user'sability to control the direction of the refuse substantially decreasesthe further away from the nozzle the refuse is. Since the velocity ofthe airflow degrades very quickly once it leaves the nozzle, only afraction of the wind energy actually is used in moving of refuse whilethe majority is lost to dispersion and friction. Natural wind, or even astrong breeze, can render a blower completely ineffective.

[0008] The state of the art in snow shovels is similar to traditionalrakes and has changed very little in many decades. While there have beenadvances in handle design and the use of synthetic materials such asplastics and the like, the basic structure of snow shovel has changedvery little. Snow shovels generally utilize a surface that is forcedunder the snow, then shifted or pushed forward and finally lifted tomove the snow in front of the pushing action. The action of filling andthen tossing the contents of the shovel takes significant amounts ofenergy on the part of the operator and is the cause of numerous injuriesand even deaths from exertion each year.

[0009] Accordingly, what is needed is a device that reduces the amountof labor required to accomplish a task. The device should be capable ofmoving large amounts of refuse while at the same time providing a userwith greater control. Additionally, the device should be capable ofeffectively operating even on wet or damp surfaces, surfaces with longturf or intervening obstructions such as bushes, plants, walls, and thelike.

SUMMARY

[0010] The present invention features a tool having a handle, a toolhead adapted to be disposed proximate a first end of the handle, and ablower assembly. The blower assembly includes a motor powering a blowerthat produces an airflow and a manifold in fluid communication with theblower. The manifold includes at least one aperture adapted to directthe airflow in a predetermined direction relative to the tool head. Themanifold may be secured to the tool head. Alternatively, the manifoldmay be disposed within a portion of the tool head.

[0011] The tool preferably includes a user adjustable air-biasingdevice. The user adjustable air-biasing device allows a user to adjustthe direction of at least a portion of the airflow about the tool head.The user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever or atleast one rotatable aperture.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the blower may be disposed proximatethe first end of the handle. The motor may be disposed proximate thefirst or the second end of the handle. The handle may contain a drivemechanism coupling the motor to the blower. Alternatively, the motor maybe a separate unit from the tool. The motor is preferably disposed on abackpack and is preferably coupled to the blower with a flexible shaft.Alternatively, the motor and the blower are separate units from the tooland may be disposed on a backpack. The blower is in fluid communicationwith the manifold through a flexible tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reading the following detailed description,taken together with the drawings wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a plan view of various tools according to the presentinvention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tool shown in FIG.1 as a rake having the blower and motor disposed proximate the rake;

[0016] FIGS. 3A-3C are partial views of one embodiment of the tool shownin FIG. 1 having a user adjustable air-bias device shown in differentpositions;

[0017]FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1 accordingto the present invention having the motor and blower disposed in aseparate unit;

[0018] FIGS. 6-9 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1 according tothe present invention having the blower disposed proximate the tool headand the motor disposed as a separate unit;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tool shown in FIG.1 as a shovel having the blower and motor disposed proximate the shovel;

[0020]FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views of the tool shown in FIG. 1according to the present invention having the blower disposed proximatethe tool head and the motor disposed proximate a second end of thehandle; and

[0021]FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan view of the tool shown in FIG. 1according to the present invention having louvers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] A tool 10, FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention, canbe used to quickly land easily clean up and/or remove debris (such as,but not limited to, grass, rocks, leaves, snow, branches, dirt, and thelike) on a surface (such as, but not limited to, a lawn, driveway,sideway, field, etc.). In use, the tool 10 lifts and dislodges thedebris from the surface in the traditional manner and produces anairflow 22 that is then used to propel the debris as will be discussedin greater detail hereinbelow. As a result, the labor required to cleanup and/or remove the debris from the surface is significantly reduced.

[0023] The tool 10 includes a handle 12 and a tool head 14. The handle12 is preferably constructed from wood, metal, of synthetic materialssuch as, but not limited to, plastic, composites (for examplefiberglass, Kevlar, etc.), and the like. The specific shape of thehandle 12 is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention,and may include any handle design 12 known to those skilled in the artincluding, but not limited to, traditional straight “pole” style handles12 a or orthopedic handle designs 12 b.

[0024] According to a first embodiment, the tool head 14 includes a rake24. The rake 24 may include any design known to those skilled in theart, but preferably includes one or more tines 26. The tines 26 may beeither rigid, fixed tines 26 a as commonly found on thatching, bow, andlandscaping rakes 24, or flexible tines 26 b attached to the handle 12as commonly found on traditional leaf rakes 24. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the design of the rake 24 will depend on theintended use of the rake 24.

[0025] According to a second embodiment, the tool head 14 includes ashovel 28. The shovel 28 may include any design known to those skilledin the art, but preferably includes a support surface 30 having an edge32 designed to be to placed underneath the debris. The support surface30 may be either curved 30 a or flat 30 b, and may optionally includesides 30 c. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the design ofthe shovel 28 will depend on the intended use of the shovel 28.

[0026] The tool 10, FIG. 2, also includes a blower assembly 16 having amanifold 38 in fluid communication with a blower or turbine 34 thatgenerates an airflow 22. The location of the blower assembly 16 will bedescribed in greater detail hereinbelow. For the sake of brevity, theblower assembly 16 will be described wherein the tool head 14 is a rake24, though one skilled in the art will be able to readily determine anymodifications necessary to incorporate the blower assembly 16 to be usedwith a shovel 28.

[0027] The manifold 38 is disposed proximate the tool head 14 andincludes one or more air tubes 44 each having one or more apertures ornozzles 46 that direct the airflow 22 across the tool head 14. Themanifold 38 and air tubes 44 may be arranged relative to the tool head14 in any manner such that the airflow 22 is capable of moving thedebris. In the exemplary embodiment wherein the tool head 14 includes arake 24, the air tubes 44 are preferably substantially parallel to thetines 26. In the exemplary embodiment wherein the tool head 14 includesa shovel 28, the air tubes 44 are preferably disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the support surface 30. Alternatively, the air tubes44, FIGS. 13-14, may include louvers 59 disposed either perpendicular(as shown in FIG. 13) or parallel (as shown in FIG. 14) to the supportsurface 30. The louvers 59 may be opened and closed such that thedirection of the airflow 22 may be adjusted relative to the shovel 28.

[0028] The manifold 38 may be secured to the tool head 14 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4-12. Alternatively, the manifold 38 may be disposed withina portion of the tool head 14 as shown in FIGS. 3A-C and the air tubes44 are preferably disposed within the tines 26 of the rake 24 andinclude the apertures or nozzles 46.

[0029] The manifold 38 optionally includes an air-biasing device 48 thatallows the user to adjust the airflow 22 across the tool head 14. Theair-biasing device 48 preferably includes a controller (not shown)disposed on the handle 12 that allows the user to adjust the air-biasingdevice 48. According to one embodiment, the air-biasing device 48includes a lever 50, FIGS. 3A-C, disposed within the manifold 38. Theuser may rotate or move the lever thus directing some portion of theairflow 22 in a particular direction. FIGS. 3A-C show the lever 50 indifferent positions. Alternatively, or in addition to, the nozzles orapertures 46 may be rotatably disposed on the air tubes 44 thus allowingthe user to direct at least a portion of the airflow 22 as well aschange the velocity of the airflow 22.

[0030] The blower 34, FIG. 2, is powered by the motor 36, as will bediscussed in greater detail hereinbelow, and may include any air pumpcapable of generating the requisite airflow 22, for example about 300CFM at about 150 mph. In the preferred embodiment, the blower 34includes a centrifugal blower. The motor 36 includes any device capableof powering the blower 34 such as, but not limited to, a combustionengine such as a gasoline or diesel engine, an A/C or D/C electricmotor, axial compressors and micro compressors, combustors, burners &micro burners, radial inflow turbines, axial turbines and microturbines, and turbo fans and turbo shafts. The tool 10 optionallyincludes a power or fuel source 60 such as a fuel tank or batteriesdisposed within the handle 12 (as shown in FIG. 2) or in a separate unit(not shown). Alternatively, the tool 10 may include a receptacle or cord(not shown) to connect the tool 10 to a power source. In the preferredembodiment, the flow rate and velocity of the airflow 22 may be adjusteddepending on the needs of the user by altering the motor 36 speed or themanifold 38 using a throttle or lever (not shown).

[0031] According to one embodiment, the FIGS. 4 and 5, the blower 34 andmotor 36 are in fluid communication with the manifold 38 using aflexible air hose 40. According to this embodiment, the blower 34 andmotor 36 are intended to be disposed on a backpack (not shown) or in aneasily moveable unit such as a hand-held unit or a wheelable unit. Theflexible air hose 40 has a diameter large enough for the requisiteairflow 22 without producing any significant backpressure, but smallenough to allow the air hose 40 to be flexible and maintain thenecessary velocity. The air hose 40 may include corrugated hoses, rubberhoses, or plastic hoses. According to the preferred embodiment, the airhose 40 is stretchable or extendable such that the length of the airhose 40 may be extended and retracted.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the blower 34, FIGS. 6-9, isdisposed proximate the tool head 14 and is in communication with themotor 36 using a flexible drive shaft 42. In the preferred embodiment,the motor 36 is adapted to be disposed in a backpack (not shown), thoughit may also be disposed in an easily moveable unit such as a hand-heldunit or a wheelable unit. The flexible drive shaft 42 preferablyincludes a coiled-shaft similar to those commonly found on lawn toolssuch as line trimmers or edgers, but may include any flexible shaftknown to those skilled in the art. The flexible shaft 42 may beconnected directly to the blower 34 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, oralternatively it may be partially pass through a cavity disposed withinthe handle 12 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0033] In yet another embodiment, the blower 34 and motor 36, FIGS. 2and 10-12, are disposed on the handle 12. The blower 34 is preferablydisposed proximate the tool head 14. The motor 36 may be proximate theblower 34 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 10, or alternatively may be disposed aspaced distance away from the blower 34, for example the opposite end ofthe handle 12 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. According to the later, themotor 36 is in communication with the blower 34 using a shaft 55disposed within a cavity in the handle 12.

[0034] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in theart are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,which is not to be limited except by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tool comprising: a handle having a toolhead disposed proximate a first end of said handle; an airflow source;and a manifold in fluid communication with said airflow source anddisposed proximate said tool head, said manifold having at least oneaperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermined directionrelative to said tool head.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid airflow source includes a motor powered by a power source and ablower, coupled to said motor, said blower generating said airflow. 3.The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tool further includes a useradjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing deviceallowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of saidairflow relative to said tool head.
 4. The tool as claimed in claim 3wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes an airflowlever.
 5. The tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein said user adjustableair-biasing device includes at least one rotatable aperture.
 6. The toolas claimed in claim 2 wherein said blower is disposed proximate saidfirst end of said handle.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein saidmotor is disposed proximate said first end of said handle.
 8. The toolas claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor is disposed proximate a secondend of said handle.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidhandle contains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.10. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor is a separate unitfrom said tool wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with aflexible shaft.
 11. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein said motoris disposed on a backpack.
 12. The tool as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid motor and said blower are separate units from said tool whereinsaid blower is in fluid communication with said manifold through aflexible tube.
 13. The tool as claimed in claim 12 wherein said motorand said blower are disposed on a backpack.
 14. The tool as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said tool head includes a rake having a plurality oftines.
 15. The tool as claimed in claim 14 wherein said manifold isdisposed within said rake.
 16. The tool as claimed in claim 15 whereinsaid manifold further includes at least a portion of said tines andwherein at least one of said tines includes said at least one apertureadapted to direct said airflow relative to said rake.
 17. The tool asclaimed in claim 15 wherein said manifold further includes a useradjustable air-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing deviceallowing a user to adjust said direction of at least a portion of saidairflow relative to said rake.
 18. The tool as claimed in claim 1wherein said tool head includes a shovel.
 19. The tool as claimed inclaim 18 wherein said manifold is disposed within said shovel andwherein said shovel includes said at least one aperture adapted todirect said airflow relative to said shovel.
 20. The tool as claimed inclaim 18 wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustableair-biasing device, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing auser to adjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflowrelative to said shovel.
 21. A rake comprising: a handle having a firstand a second end; a plurality of tines disposed from said first end ofsaid handle; a blower, coupled with a motor, said blower generating anairflow; and a manifold in fluid communication with said blower anddisposed proximate said plurality of tines, said manifold having atleast one aperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermineddirection relative to said rake.
 22. The rake as claimed in claim 21wherein said rake further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device,said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust saiddirection of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said rake.23. The rake as claimed in claim 22 wherein said user adjustableair-biasing device includes an airflow lever.
 24. The rake as claimed inclaim 22 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing device includes atleast one rotatably aperture.
 25. The rake as claimed in claim 21wherein said manifold is disposed within said plurality of tines andwherein at least one of said tines includes said at least one apertureadapted to direct said airflow.
 26. The rake as claimed in claim 25wherein said manifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasingdevice, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user toadjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative tosaid rake.
 27. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein said blower isdisposed proximate said first end of said handle.
 28. The rake asclaimed in claim 27 wherein said motor is disposed proximate said firstend of said handle.
 29. The rake as claimed in claim 27 wherein saidmotor is disposed proximate a second end of said handle and said handlecontains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.
 30. Therake as claimed in claim 27 wherein said motor is a separate unit fromsaid rake wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with a flexibleshaft.
 31. The rake as claimed in claim 30 wherein said motor isdisposed on a backpack.
 32. The rake as claimed in claim 21 wherein saidmotor and said blower are a separate unit from said rake wherein saidblower is in fluid communication with said manifold through a flexibletube.
 33. The rake as claimed in claim 32 wherein said motor and saidblower are disposed on a backpack.
 34. A shovel comprising: a handlehaving a first and a second end; a shovel head disposed proximate saidfirst end of said handle; a blower, coupled to a motor, said blowergenerating an airflow; and a manifold in fluid communication with saidblower and disposed proximate said shovel head, said manifold having atleast one aperture adapted to direct said airflow in a predetermineddirection relative to said shovel.
 35. The shovel as claimed in claim 34wherein said shovel further includes a user adjustable air-biasingdevice, said user adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user toadjust said direction of at least a portion of said airflow relative tosaid shovel.
 36. The shovel as claimed in claim 35 wherein said useradjustable air-biasing device includes an airflow lever.
 37. The rake asclaimed in claim 35 wherein said user adjustable air-biasing deviceincludes at least one rotatably aperture.
 38. The shovel as claimed inclaim 34 wherein said manifold is disposed within said shovel head,wherein said shovel head includes said at least one aperture adapted todirect said airflow.
 39. The shovel as claimed in claim 38 wherein saidmanifold further includes a user adjustable air-biasing device, saiduser adjustable air-biasing device allowing a user to adjust saiddirection of at least a portion of said airflow relative to said shovelhead.
 40. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said blower isdisposed proximate said first end of said handle.
 41. The shovel asclaimed in claim 40 wherein said motor is disposed proximate said firstend of said handle.
 42. The shovel as claimed in claim 40 wherein saidmotor is disposed proximate a second end of said handle and said handlecontains a drive mechanism coupling said motor to said blower.
 43. Theshovel as claimed in claim 40 wherein said motor is a separate unit fromsaid shovel wherein said motor is coupled to said blower with a flexibleshaft.
 44. The shovel as claim 43 wherein said motor is disposed on abackpack.
 45. The shovel as claimed in claim 34 wherein said motor andsaid blower are seperate units from said shovel, wherein said blower isin fluid communication with said manifold through a flexible tube. 46.The shovel as claimed in claim 45 wherein said motor and said blower aredisposed on a backpack.